The Caves, Reigate
This section provides information about the caves in Reigate which is located under the castle grounds in the centre of Reigate.
Located under the Castle Grounds in the centre of Reigate, the cave was first constructed as a narrow passage or postern, connecting the Castle Keep to the town below.
The Barons' Cave has been an attraction to travellers from an early time.
Stagecoaches stopped at Reigate on their way from London, leaving passengers time to explore the old caves.
The cave boasts an old inscription by 'I Skinner, Brighton, 1783' showing just how long ago people visited the caves.
The Reigate Caves are man-made and the sand dug out of them is of a very high quality, known as 'silver sand'. The upper side passage is a tiny sand mine, dug in the late 18th and early 19th century.
The sand was used for horticulture, in hourglasses and for cleaning purposes and worth a lot of money to those who sold it.
Origins of the caverns either side of Tunnel Road
The caverns to the west side of the tunnel may predate the construction of Tunnel Road. Locals keen to sell the 'silver sand' could well have dug them to make a profit.
Those caverns on the east side of the tunnel are largely lined with brick and generally have no characteristics of sand mines. It is unlikely they predate the tunnel. Their construction was probably as beer and wine vaults.
Tunnel Road during the World Wars
During the First World War the caverns on the west side of Tunnel Road became, much to the peril of Reigate, a major high explosives dump and this use continued into the 1920's.
Cavern's east side during the Second World War
Air Raid Wardens were recruited from the civilian population to patrol the streets from special Air Rail Precaution posts. These wardens would report bomb damage, crashing planes and casualties to Report Centres.
The tunnels on the east side of Tunnel Road contained one such Report Centre. Also included at that time were a Police Post, a Fire Brigade Post, a First Aid Post and a canteen.
Caverns west side during the Second World War
During the years preceding WW2 it was believed that if war broke out it would be accompanied by large scale bombing.
As soon as the war was announced in September 1939 crowds of people fled to the protection of the Tunnel Road caves, which due to their depth were bomb proof.
The west side caverns of Tunnel Road were also used during the V1 flying bomb attacks of 1944.
Factfile
Public Open Days
The caves are open to the public for just a few days each year. Usually during the Summer period.
Prices
Baron's Cave
Follow signs from Boots in Reigate up the steps and walk left for 300yards. The entrance to the caves is on your right.
- Adults £1.50
- Child/OAP £1.00
- Family £4.00
Tunnel Road Caves
Walk north along Tunnel Road from the High Street (by the Market Hotel). The entrance to the caves is just inside the tunnel itself.
- Adults £2.00
- Child/OAP £1.50
- Family £6.00
Caves website
Please make sure you check dates and prices on the official website below.
Reigate Caves on the Wealden Cave & Mine Society website
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Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
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